Which country is overall more statist and collectivist: Canada or Australia?

**Tooting Carmen** · 08-30-2021, 05:30 PM

While Canada looks very statist/social democratic compared to the US, how would it compare in this regard to Australia? (N.B. Let's leave aside the recent respective reactions to the pandemic please, where Australia has really gone overboard, and think back much longer-term).

**Creoda** · 08-30-2021, 11:10 PM

How should I know. Likely Australia historically, the fact that it is almost culturally identical coast to coast, and being an island without a huge border with the US might play a part. The Labor Party has been a dominant force in Australian politics since federation.

**Tooting Carmen** · 08-30-2021, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by Creoda

The Labor Party has been a dominant force in Australian politics since federation.

Though it has weakened considerably in recent years, hasn't it?

**Andullero** · 08-30-2021, 11:19 PM

I vote Canada, although I could be wrong.

**Tooting Carmen** · 08-30-2021, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by Andullero

I vote Canada, although I could be wrong.

Trudeauism?

**Andullero** · 08-30-2021, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by Tooting Carmen

Trudeauism?

That, and it seems to me that cowboy culture is more prevalent in Aussieland.

**Andullero** · 08-30-2021, 11:24 PM

Also, Tooting, I remember DragonRouge saying on ABF that Canadians (specially Frenchy ones) needed to develop some sort of deep solidarity in order to survive the extreme weather conditions.

**Creoda** · 08-30-2021, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by Tooting Carmen

Though it has weakened considerably in recent years, hasn't it?

It has always been one of the two main parties, and still is. It drifted away from its protectionist roots over the last half century and is not much different from the Liberal party now.

**Tooting Carmen** · 08-30-2021, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by Creoda

It has always been one of the two main parties, and still is. It drifted away from its protectionist roots over the last half century and is not much different from the Liberal party now.

So would you describe both parties as centre-right? (On economic issues at least).

**Creoda** · 08-30-2021, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Tooting Carmen

So would you describe both parties as centre-right? (On economic issues at least).

I don't care for such terminology, but it has generally been observed that the ALP became economically centre-right since the 80s, under Hawke and Keating. They are still considered centre-left generally, but I personally wouldn't consider either of them right-wing.